Electronically actuated cargo door lock assembly

ABSTRACT

An electronic lock housing assembly provides a lock retrofit for a transportation industry-standard cargo door lock assembly. The electronic lock assembly is configured to protect the electronic components of the lock from impact, moisture and foreign matter. The exterior housing retains an electronic lock cylinder and its cam assembly at the exterior of truck door, so as to engage the rotatable lever of a standard mechanical door latch assembly. The interior housing retains the lock&#39;s electronic circuitry directly behind the exterior housing on the opposite, interior side of the door, so as to facilitate electrical interconnection through a mechanically shielded channel in the door.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of provisional U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 60/048,123, filed May 30, 1997 and provisional U.S.patent application Ser. No. 60/047,377, filed Jun. 2, 1997, each beingentitled: "Site Verification Access Control," assigned to the assigneeof the present application, and the disclosures of which areincorporated herein. In addition, the present application relates tosubject matter disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/088,467, filed Jun. 1, 1998, filed coincidentally herewith, entitled:"Access Control System for Mobile Platform Using Electronic Key-EmbeddedLocation Verification Data," by M. Mellen et al (hereinafter referred toas the '467 application), assigned to the assignee of the presentapplication and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an electronically actuated lockassembly for a cargo container, such as may be conveyed by a vehicle(e.g., aircraft, trailer truck and the like), and is particularlydirected to a composite exterior--interior assembly that configured tosecure and controllably provide access to the container by means of aphysically protected electronic lock, which is unlocked by means of anassociated electronic key.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the most prevalent of what are often (erroneously) referred to`victimless` crimes is cargo theft. Worldwide industry theft losses forcargo theft in 1995 were approximately $470 billion, and an additional$400 billion was lost to a multitude of cunning and deceptive fraudschemes. Between hijackings and internal fraud, the cost to business hasreached such epidemic proportions, that the insurance industry hasestimated that cargo theft losses now account for $150 of the retailprice of every personal computer. As a consequence, insurance premiumsand deductibles are rising at an alarming rate. While insurance companypayouts can replace stolen goods, the loss of business from clientsforced to buy from someone else might never be replaced. Also, eventhough enforcement agencies have begun forming task forces to deal withthe problem, most of their responses have been reactive rather thanproactive; law enforcement and private industry have realized that theymust work together to solve the problem.

For this purpose, a very basic procedure has been to simply lock thedoors of cargo containers and vehicles; however, such locking oftruck/cargo carriers has not provided adequate protection, as industryexperts point out as much as 80% of cargo theft is the result ofinsiders with keys to the truck/carrier storage units. It has beenconcluded that the only effective measure to secure cargo is to employ ameasure that will assure that the truck or carried storage unit cannotbe opened between its departure location and its intended destination.

One proposal to address this problem, described in the U.S. Pat. toLong, No. 5,648,763, is to equip the cargo container with a geographicalposition detection unit (such as a Global Positioning System (GPS)-basedunit) that is directly connected to the locking mechanism for thecontainer. The geographical position detection unit functions tomaintain the security access control system for the container (asolenoid-driven lock) in a locked condition, until it detects that thecontainer has arrived at its intended destination. At this point, thegeographical position detection unit issues an unlock signal to thelocking mechanism and allow access to the container.

A fundamental shortcoming with this approach is the fact that thesecurity access control system and its associated geographical positiondetection equipment (such as a Global Positioning System (GPS)-basedunit), which may typically be installed in or adjacent to the cab of atruck, or within the container proper where the cargo is stored, isdirectly linked with the hardware of the mechanical locking unit for thecargo container doors at the rear of the truck.

The fact that the two are directly linked through or along the confinesof the truck where cargo is stored, and the substantial physicalseparation therebetween creates the potential for damage or compromiseof the control link between the security access control unit and thelock. Moreover, all of the security access control information,including the critical geographical location information, is programmedinto the security access control system. Since the security accesscontrol system is resident in equipment permanently installed in thecontainer/vehicle, programming the geographical location informationmust be physically carried out `in the truck`.

Advantageously, the invention described in the above-referencedco-pending '467 application substantially improves upon this patentedsystem--providing additional security and functionality--by means of aprogrammable electronic lock, which can be unlocked only by anelectronic key that has been programmed with geographical location datarepresentative of the destination site of the cargo container.Preferably, the electronic lock and key are of the type described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,337,588 and 5,625,349 (hereinafter referred to as the'588 and '349 patents, respectively), each containing its ownindividually programmable control processor, and employing encrypted,scrambled (opto-electronic) communications for increased security.

Once the mobile platform has arrived at its destination site, thepreviously programmed electronic key is inserted into a locationverification comparator unit, such as one employing a GPS receiver forthe mobile platform. If the two sets of geographical location datamatch, the key is enabled for a prescribed interval of time. Otherwisethe key remains disabled and the contents of the container remainsecure. The key may then be inserted into the programmable electroniclock, which reads the key to determine whether it has been enabled. Ifthe key is enabled, the lock can be unlocked and thereby provide accessto the container.

Unfortunately, transportation industry-standard cargo door lockassemblies, such as a standard J-hook assembly for a roll-up rear cargodoor, as a non-limiting example, are not configured to accommodate anelectronic lock, including that described in the above-referenced '588and '349 patents. As a consequence, either a completely new lockingmechanism design, or some form of retrofit, is required. Because of thegenerally universal acceptance by and familiarity of transportationpersonnel with currently employed cargo door lock assemblies, a retrofitof the locking assemblies currently in use would be preferred. In doingso however, care must be taken to protect the electronic components ofthe lock from impact, moisture and foreign matter that is present bothoutside and inside the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, this objective is successfullyaddressed by an electronic lock assembly having an exterior housing thatretains and protects an electronic lock cylinder and associated camassembly at the exterior of the container closure (e.g., truck door),that readily engages the rotatable lever of a standard door latchassembly. An interior housing is mounted to the opposite side of thedoor, and retains and protects the electronic circuitry that controlsthe operation of the lock. This composite housing assembly is configuredto be employable with a variety of transportation industry standard typeclosures, such as a roll-up rear door, a hinged side door, orswing-hinged rear doors, customarily used with cargo storage containers.

The exterior housing portion of the lock assembly has a hollow body thatis sealed against the door by means of a gasket that is sized and shapedto conform with a body flange and the interior walls of the cavity. Thecavity is sized to retain and permit rotation of a pawl and rotatablelever of a standard mechanical door latch, which engages an L-catch, asthe distal end of a latch bar engages the top surface of the body. Thelever is controlled by a pin affixed to the lock cam. The front wall ofthe exterior housing body has a generally circular aperture that issized to receive the lock cylinder, which is fixed within the housingcavity by means of a mounting bracket. A hinged front cover and a gasketretained thereby protects the front exterior portion of the electroniclock against moisture, foreign matter and impact by objects.

The interior housing assembly includes an interior escutcheon configuredhousing, which includes a metallic plate sub-assembly, that supports acircuit board of the lock's electronic circuitry. The electroniccircuitry is powered by a battery pack, clip-mounted to the metallicplate adjacent to the circuit board. Opposite ends of the plate areconfigured to receive and retain a protective escutcheon cover. Theescutcheon configured interior housing is secured via a sealing gasketwith the interior surface of the door directly behind the exteriorhousing portion of the lock assembly. The gasket includes a slot thataccommodates an electrical cable from the circuit board through a holein the door to the lock cylinder.

In order to protect the interior escutcheon configured interior housingfrom damage that may be caused by cargo stored within the container, arelatively robust outer metallic escutcheon cover is mounted to theinterior door surface, so as to surround the interior escutcheon cover.An upper end of the outer metallic escutcheon cover is slanted, allowcargo that may come in contact with the interior housing assembly, aswhen the door is raised from its closed position, to be deflected andnot block the door, or damage the lock circuitry housing. The outerescutcheon cover is sealed against the door by a gasket that conformswith the perimeter thickness of the outer escutcheon cover. Anintermediate cushioning pad is inserted between the outer escutcheoncover and the inner escutcheon cover, to dampen vibrations and furtherinsulate the lock electronics from the surrounding containerenvironment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a mobile transportation platform (trailer truck) inwhich the electronically actuated cargo door lock assembly of thepresent invention may be installed;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are respective diagrammatic front and rear views of theexterior housing portion of the electronically actuated cargo door lockassembly of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic side view of the exterior housing portion ofthe lock assembly of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic rear view of the electronically actuated cargodoor lock assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 6 a diagrammatic front view of the exterior housing portion of thelock assembly of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 7 shows the configuration of a gasket for sealing the exteriorhousing portion of the lock assembly of the invention against a door;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are respective front and side views of a lock cylindermounting bracket;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are respective front and side views of a lock cylindercam assembly;

FIG. 12 diagrammatically illustrates a circuit board and associatedbattery pack mounted end-to-end;

FIG. 13 shows the mutual projection of the exterior and interiordoor-mounted lock assembly housings of the invention;

FIG. 14 diagrammatically illustrates a circuit board and associatedbattery pack mounted side-by-side;

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic side view of an interior escutcheon housingfor the circuit board and associated battery pack of the lock controlelectronics of the invention;

FIG. 16 shows the configuration of a gasket for sealing the interiorescutcheon housing of FIG. 15 against a door;

FIGS. 17 and 18 are respective side and bottom views of an exteriorescutcheon housing for protecting the interior escutcheon housing ofFIG. 15;

FIGS. 19 and 20 diagrammatically illustrate the use of theelectronically actuated cargo lock assembly of the invention with astandard side door latch assembly;

FIG. 21 diagrammatically illustrates the use of the electronicallyactuated cargo lock assembly of the invention with a standard swingingdouble rear door latch assembly; and

FIGS. 22 and 23 are respective side and end views of the L-catch bracketfor use with the cargo lock assembly of FIG. 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of providing a practical, but nonlimiting example, FIG. 1diagrammatically illustrates a tractor trailer truck 10, whichtransports a container 11, with which the electronic lock-based latchingassembly of the present invention may be used. It is to be understoodhowever, that the platform/container with which the invention may beemployed could be any of a variety of ground, marine or air-based units.

In the illustrated example, access to the tractor trailer cargocontainer 11 may be provided by conventional side or rear latchable andlockable doors, such as the illustrated roll-up rear door 12, one ormore hinged side doors, or hinged rear doors, as customarily used withcargo storage containers. The electronic lock-controlled latch assemblymechanism is shown at 15 and is operated by an electronic key 16.

ELECTRONIC LOCK ASSEMBLY FOR ROLL-UP DOOR (FIGS. 2-18)

In accordance with a first embodiment, the electronically actuated cargolock assembly of the invention is intended for use with a J-hook type ofdoor latch, that is customarily used to secure a roll-up door, and isconfigured to accommodate a generally cylindrical electronic lock of thetype described in the '349 and '588 patents. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,the configuration and operation of a standard J-hook latch assembly 20,and the engagement of an L-catch 21 at the distal end 23 of a mainlocking bar 25 with the pawl 27 of a rotatable lever 29 remainsunchanged. What is added by the present invention is an exterior housingassembly 30, in which an electronically actuated lock is retained, andan associated interior housing assembly 40, in which the electroniccircuitry for controlling the operation of the lock is mounted.

In particular, as shown in FIGS. 2-4, the exterior housing assembly 30is configured to accommodate and protect a generally cylindricallyconfigured electronic lock cylinder 50 and associated cam assembly 52 atthe exterior surface 13 of the container door 12, so that the camassembly may readily engage the rotatable lever 29 of the J-hook latchassembly. As shown in FIG. 5, the interior housing assembly 40 ismounted to the opposite, interior side 14 of the door, and serves tohouse and protect electronic lock circuitry that controls the operationof the cylindrical lock 50.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, the exterior housing assembly 30 has agenerally rectilinear hollow body 301 and a surrounding mounting flange303. The body 301 has an interior cavity 305 that is bounded by a frontwall 310, bottom wall 311, side walls 313 and 315, and a top wall 317. Arear wall of the housing assembly is provided by the door upon which thehousing assembly is mounted (e.g., by way of screws 302 through mountingholes 304 in the flange 303). In order to seal the body 301 against thedoor, a flat gasket 309 of neoprene or other suitable rugged, waterimpermeable material, is sized and shaped to conform with the outerperimeter of flange 303 and the interior walls of the interior cavity305, as shown in FIG. 7.

The interior cavity 305 of the exterior housing assembly body 301 issized to accommodate and permit rotation of the pawl 27 and therotatable lever 29 for engagement and release of the L-catch 21. A slotor opening 316 is formed in the top wall 317 of the body 301 and issized to allow entry of the L-catch 21 into the cavity 305, as thedistal end 23 of the main bar 25 comes to rest upon the top exteriorsurface 318 of the body 301. A side guard plate 319 extends upwardlyfrom the front wall 310 adjacent to the top exterior surface 318 of theexterior housing assembly body 301.

As shown in FIG. 2, the front wall 310 of the exterior housing assembly30 has a generally circular aperture 321 that is sized to receive thegenerally cylindrically configured electronic lock cylinder 50. In orderto fixedly mount the lock cylinder 50 within the interior cavity 305 ofthe body 301, a generally L-shaped mounting bracket 320, shown in detailin FIGS. 8 and 9, is mounted by way of fasteners 322 and 324 (such asrivets and the like), passing through holes 326 and 328 in a first plateportion 330 of the bracket 320. Fasteners 322 and 324 pass throughfurther holes in the wall 310, so that the first plate portion 330 maybe retained against the interior surface 336 of the exterior housingfront wall 310.

A second plate portion 340 of the bracket 320 is offset from the firstplate portion 330 by a generally L-shaped bend 325 in the bracket 320. Apair of sidewalls 342 and 344 extend from side edges 346 and 348 of thesecond plate portion 340 of the bracket to a depth of the first plateportion 330, so as to provide offset support for the second plateportion 340 against the interior surface 336 of the front wall 310. Agenerally circular aperture 350 having a pair of diametrically opposedears 352 and 354 is formed in the second plate portion 340 of thebracket 320.

The generally circular aperture 350 in the second plate portion 340 ofthe bracket is sized to receive the cylindrical body of the electroniclock, with the ears 352 and 354 coinciding with a pair of longitudinalgrooves 356 and 358 along a threaded exterior cylindrical wall portion360 of the lock cylinder 50, so as to prevent rotation of the lockcylinder in its installed position. To securely retain the lock cylinderin place, a threaded ring 362 is screwed onto the threaded exteriorcylindrical wall portion 360 of the lock cylinder 50, so that it engagesa generally annular spacer 364 against the second plate portion 340 ofthe bracket 320.

The lock's cam assembly 52 is shown in detail in FIGS. 10 and 11, ascomprising a generally elongate oval cam member 371 having a keyed slot373 that engages a corresponding key projection of the rotational shaftof the lock cylinder 50. The cam member 371 is affixed to the lockcylinder shaft by screws that pass through countersunk bores 375 and 377of the cam member. A pin 380 for engaging the lever 29 of the latchassembly 20 is retained in an aperture 382 at the distal end 384 of thecam 371.

In order to protect the front exterior portion of the electronic lockcylinder 50 against moisture, foreign matter and impact by objects, ahinged front cover 400 is arranged to rotate about a shaft 402 that isparallel to the front wall 310 of the housing 30. For this purpose, ahinge plate 404, which is configured to receive the shaft 402, iscoupled to a bias spring 406 surrounding the shaft 402, and is affixedto the front wall 310 by way of a stand-off 408.

The thickness of the stand-off 408 is sized so that a protectiveneoprene gasket 410 that is mounted to the inside of the front cover 400will be urged in a firm sealing engagement with the front face of theelectronic lock 50, when the hinged front cover 400 is biased into itsclosed position by the spring 406. The hinge plate 404 has apertures 412and 414 that are aligned with the holes in the first plate portion 330of the bracket 320 and holes through the front wall 310 of the housingbody 301, so that the bracket 320 and the front cover may be affixed tothe housing by common mounting fasteners (e.g., rivets) 322 and 324,referenced above.

The interior housing assembly 40, which is configured to house andprotect the electronic lock's control circuitry, preferably includes aninterior escutcheon configured housing of the type disclosed in myco-pending U.S. Pat. No. 5,841,637 (hereinafter referred to as the '637patent application), filed Mar. 25, 1996, entitled: "ED-ProtectiveHousing for Electronically Operated Lock," assigned to the assignee ofthe present application and the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein.

As detailed in the '637 patent application, such an escutcheonconfigured housing includes a conductive (metallic) plate sub-assembly,that is employed as a support structure for a circuit board of thelock's electronic circuitry and as a wall of the protective housing. Thecircuit board contains a ground conductor layer which is electricallyconnected to the metallic plate via conductive mounting standoffstherebetween. The electronic circuitry of the lock is powered by way ofa battery pack, that is clip-mounted to the metallic plate adjacent tothe circuit board.

This configuration is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 12, whichshows a circuit board 411 and an associated battery pack 413, that aremounted end-to-end (adjacent to one another along the lengthwisedirection of the metallic plate 415), in order to conform with thenarrowness of the door environment of interest. Alternatively, for achange in relative length/width dimensions, as in the case of theexterior and interior door-mounted lock assembly housings of the presentembodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 13, the battery pack 413 maybe placed at the side of the circuit board 411 upon which lock controlcircuitry 60 for operating the lock cycliner 50 is mounted, as showndiagrammatically in FIG. 14.

As detailed in the '637 patent application, and as shown in the sideview of FIG. 15, the metallic plate 415 has a generally L-shaped flange416 at a first end of the plate that extends above and projects slightlybeyond the end edge of the plate, allowing the flange 416 to fit withina corresponding slot or depression 418 within a first end of aprotective escutcheon cover 420, which comprises a generally elongated,rectangularly shaped metallic casing. The second end edge of themetallic plate 415 includes a pair of tabs 419 which extend generallyvertically from the plate surface, and contain tapped holes that aresized to be engaged by screws 421 insertable through holes in an endwall 425 of the escutcheon cover 420.

The escutcheon configured interior housing 420 is secured to theinterior surface 14 of the door 12 by means of fasteners (screws) 431,which pass through associated holes 433 in a neoprene sealing gasket435, shown in detail in FIG. 16, that conforms with the generallyrectangular shape of the metallic plate 415. The gasket 435 includes aslot 436, that is configured to accommodate the passage of an electricalcable set 440 from the lock control circuitry 60 of the circuit board411 through a hole 442 in the door 12 to the lock cylinder 50.Advantageously, because the two housing portions 30 and 40 of the lockassembly of the invention are disposed in mutual projection on oppositesides of the door 12 (as shown FIG. 13), the electrical cable set 440through the channel 442 through the door between the lock cyliner 50 andthe lock control circuitry 60 is effectively continuously protected by amechanical shielding barrier.

In order to protect the interior escutcheon configured interior housing420 from possible damage due to impact by cargo stored within thecontainer, a relatively robust (e.g., quarter inch thick) outer metallicescutcheon cover 450, shown in detail in FIGS. 17 and 18, is mounted tothe interior door surface 14, e.g., by way of a set of carriage bolts451 and associated retention nuts 452, so as to effectively surround theinterior escutcheon cover 420. An upper end portion 453 of the outermetallic escutcheon cover 450 is slanted, so as to allow cargo that maycome in contact with the interior housing assembly 40 (particularly whenthe door is being raised from its closed position), to be deflected andthereby not block movement of the door, or damage the interiorescutcheon cover 420 and the lock circuitry it protects.

The outer escutcheon cover 450 is sealed against the door by means of anouter neoprene gasket 454 that conforms with the perimeter wallthickness of the outer escutcheon cover 450. In addition, anintermediate neoprene cushioning pad 456 is inserted between the outerescutcheon cover 450 and the inner escutcheon cover 420, so as to dampenvibrations and further insulate the lock electronics from thesurrounding container environment.

ELECTRONIC LOCK ASSEMBLY FOR SIDE DOOR (FIGS. 19-20)

The manner in which the electronically actuated cargo lock assembly ofthe invention may be used with a standard side door latch assembly isdiagrammatically illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20. This embodiment has thesame architecture described above with reference to FIGS. 2-18. Thedifference is the fact that a side door latch assembly (which latches atthe side, rather than at a bottom catch plate, as shown in FIGS. 2 and3, it has no J-hook.

ELECTRONIC LOCK ASSEMBLY FOR SWINGING DOORS (FIGS. 21-23)

The manner in which the electronically actuated cargo lock assembly ofthe invention may be used with a standard swinging double rear doorlatch assembly is diagrammatically illustrated in FIGS. 21-23. Like thesecond embodiment of FIGS. 19 and 20, this embodiment has the samearchitecture described above with reference to FIGS. 2-18. Differencesare the fact the latch assembly has no J-hook, and the rotatable lockingarm 470 has an L-catch bracket 471 (shown in detail in FIGS. 22 and 23)mounted at its distal end 473, and configured to rest upon the topexterior surface 318 of the body 301 of the exterior housing assembly30, as described above with reference to the first embodiment.

As shown in the side view of FIG. 22 and the end view of FIG. 23,L-catch bracket 471 has a generally U-shaped hollow upper sleeve 481,that is sized to receive and be affixed (via screws passing throughholes 483 and 485) to distal end 473 of rotatable locking arm 470. Thegenerally U-shaped hollow upper sleeve 481 is integral with a generallyflat plate 487 having a forward or nose end 489, beneath which extendsan L-catch 491. As in the first embodiment, this configuration allowsthe L-catch 491 to readily engage the pawl of the rotatable lever of thedoor latch, as the forward end 489 of the bracket 471 comes to rest uponthe top exterior surface 318 of the body 301 of the exterior housingassembly 30.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing description, the electroniclock housing assembly of the present invention provides a lock retrofitfor a variety of transportation industry-standard cargo door lockassemblies, and is configured to protect the electronic components ofthe lock from impact, moisture and foreign matter that is typicallypresent both outside and inside a standard truck trailer.

The exterior housing retains an electronic lock cylinder and its camassembly at the exterior of truck door, so that it can readily engagesthe rotatable lever of a standard door latch assembly. The interiorhousing retains the lock's electronic circuitry directly behind theexterior housing on the opposite side of the door, so as to facilitateelectrical interconnection within a mechanically shielded channelthrough the door.

While I have shown and described an embodiment in accordance with thepresent invention, it is to be understood that the same is not limitedthereto but is susceptible to numerous changes and modifications as areknown to a person skilled in the art, and I therefore do not wish to belimited to the details shown and described herein, but intend to coverall such changes and modifications as are obvious to one of ordinaryskill in the art.

What is claimed:
 1. An apparatus for electronically locking a latch of acontainer closure comprising:an exterior housing assembly adapted to bemounted at an exterior region of said container closure, and retainingtherein an electronically operated lock and a driven member thereof thatis arranged to controllably engage and release said latch, saidelectronically operated lock being configured to be coupled with anelectronic key that has been programmed with prescribed informationrepresentative of the ability of said electronic key to unlock saidelectronically operated lock; and an interior housing assembly adaptedto be mounted to an interior region of said container closure andcontaining programmable electronic lock circuitry for controlling saidelectronically operated lock, said programmable electronic lockcircuitry being programmable to be operated by said electronic key andthereby unlock said electronically operated lock, and wherein saidinterior housing assembly is adapted to be installed at an interiorregion of said container closure directly adjacent to said exteriorhousing assembly at said exterior region of said container closure, andincludes an inner escutcheon, containing said programmable electroniclock circuitry, an outer escutcheon cover that surrounds said innerescutcheon, and cushioning material interposed between said outerescutcheon cover and said inner escutcheon, and being operative todampen vibrations, and insulate said programmable electronic lockcircuitry from its surrounding environment.
 2. An apparatus according toclaim 1, further including a gasket interposed between said innerescutcheon and said container closure.
 3. An apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said outer escutcheon cover comprises a metallic outerescutcheon cover having a slanted surface portion that deflects objectsthat may come in contact with said interior housing assembly.
 4. Anapparatus according to claim 3, wherein said outer metallic escutcheoncover includes bores therethrough adjacent opposite ends of said innerescutcheon, and being configured to receive fasteners, which passthrough associated apertures in said container closure and securelyaffix said outer metallic escutcheon cover to said interior region ofsaid container closure.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid latch includes a rotatable arm having an L-catch bracket at adistal end thereof, and configured to rest upon a top exterior surfaceof said exterior housing assembly, and thereby allow an L-catch of saidL-catch bracket to engage said driven member of said electronicallyoperated lock.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidprogrammable electronic lock circuitry for controlling said programmableelectronic lock is programmable to unlock said electronically operatedlock, in response to said electronic key being programmed withgeographical location data representative of a destination site of saidcontainer closure.
 7. An apparatus, for electronically locking a latchof a container closure comprising:an exterior housing assembly adaptedto be mounted at an exterior region of said container closure, andretaining therein an electronically operated lock and a driven memberthereof that is arranged to controllably engage and release said latch,said electronically operated lock being configured to be coupled with anelectronic key that has been programmed with prescribed informationrepresentative of the ability of said electronic key to unlock saidelectronically operated lock; and an interior housing assembly adaptedto be mounted to an interior region of said container closure andcontaining programmable electronic lock circuitry for controlling saidelectronically operated lock, said programmable electronic lockcircuitry being programmable to be operated by said electronic key andthereby unlock said electronically operated lock, and wherein said latchincludes a rotatable arm having an L-catch bracket at a distal endthereof, and configured to rest upon a top exterior surface of saidexterior housing assembly, and thereby allow an L-catch of said L-catchbracket to engage said driven member of said electronically operatedlock.
 8. An apparatus, for electronically locking a latch of a containerclosure comprising:an exterior housing assembly adapted to be mounted atan exterior region of said container closure, and retaining therein anelectronically operated lock and a driven member thereof that isarranged to controllably engage and release said latch, saidelectronically operated lock being configured to be coupled with anelectronic key that has been programmed with prescribed informationrepresentative of the ability of said electronic key to unlock saidelectronically operated lock; and an interior housing assembly adaptedto be mounted to an interior region of said container closure andcontaining programmable electronic lock circuitry for controlling saidelectronically operated lock, said programmable electronic lockcircuitry being programmable to be operated by said electronic key andthereby unlock said electronically operated lock, and wherein saidprogrammable electronic lock circuitry for controlling said programmableelectronic lock is operative to unlock said electronically operatedlock, in response to said electronic key being programmed withgeographical location data representative of a destination site of saidcontainer closure.